This is a word to the church of Jesus Christ, especially the church of US. Apostle Paul talks about the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. He beseech us to cast down every argument, every high and lofty things that exalt itself against God (2 Cor 10:4-5). A stronghold is a military term that refers to a place that is fortified so as to protect it against attack. It is the enemy’s stronghold we are attacking, and the stronghold is in the enemy’s territory. However, contrary to physical warfare, stronghold in spiritial warfare refers to a place where a particular belief is strongly defended. It is the enemy that has us believing in a lie, and it is in our territory, which is our mind. Come to think of it, it is quite scary to have the enemy already in our territory. The scripture i just mentioned clearly says it is against the knowledge of God, and it takes only the power of God to pull down the stronghold, but we must be the one who recognizes that it is a lie to be eradicated.
There is an account in the bible of how our Lord, Jesus healed a certain man in John 5:1-8. The background is that there was a feast of the jews. The jews had feasts every year, and they had to travel from their hometown to jerusalem to celebrate the feasts. And Jesus also went to the feast, as was His custom. In Jerusalem, there was a place called sheep gate, and a pool by it And this pool was called Bethesda (John 5:1-2).
A) Bethesda in the greek means house of mercy or living waters. The church is caled to be a hourse of mercy. Jesus knows to observe Jewish customs, but more importantly, He showed mercy to the ones, sick and oppressed. Our greatest commandment is to to love God, but don’t forget our second commandment, which is to love our neighbour. Remember in the parable of the good samaritan, one priest and one levite passed by the robbed and wounded man, which they thought was dead, so that they would not be defiled and not attend their religious meetings. They definitely love God, but they don’t love men. There came a samaritan and he did the right thing by saving the wounded man. Jesus said the samaritan shew mercy, go and do likewise (Luke 10:30-37).
Verse 3 says there was a great multitude of impotent people. Some were blind, lame and withered. However, no ones goes into the pool. They were all waiting for something to happen in the waters of the pool, which is the moving of the water
Verse 4 explains what were they waiting for. An angel went down at certain seasons to trouble the waters. And whosoever went into the water first will be healed of their diseases.
B) They were waiting for angels to come. They were waiting for the spectacular to happen. Remember that Elijah thought that God was in the great, strong wind that passed, but God was not in it. After that, an earthquake, but God was not in it. After that, a fire, but God was not in it either. And finally after that, God manisfested Himself in a still small voice and spoke to him (1 kings 19:11-12). I want to speak to the US church specifically. Many believers are waiting for God to rent down the heavens, and vanquish their enemies, enemies of tyranny that orchestrated the stealing of the election 2020. I must confess that regretabbly, i also believe that initially. God will definitely come true, but not in the way you perceive. He will come in that still small voice. Many are waiting for God to act, but instead God is waiting for you to act. He wants you to seek Him and hear his still small voice. Every believer must hear God for himself. God will give you instructions, strategies to escape and to overcome our enemies. Every believer is a soldier of the army of God, with Jesus being the captain of the army. And we should ask Jesus the question Joshua asked “What saith my lord unto his servant?” (Josh 5:14).
C) ‘An angel went down at a certain season’. The greek word for season is kairos, which means appointed time. The body of Christ are simply too passive. Many believers are waiting for God to move in His appointed time. God’s appointed time was when Jesus hung and died at the cross, and rose from the dead. Many of our church leaders taught that when our prayers are not answered, it can only means God wants you to wait, or the answer is no. But i say to you, the appointed time is now or never!
D) ‘and troubled the waters’. Another word for “troubled” is to stir up. If the water in the pool needs to be stir up, that simply means the water is still and dead. This seems to contradict the other greek meaning of Bethesda, which is living waters. Jesus at the last day, of the greast feast declared that as believers, out of our bellies, shall flow rivers of living waters. He spoke of the Holy Spirit, which was given us, after Jesus was glorified (John 7:37-39). Furthermore, Apostle Paul reminded Timothy in 2Tim 1:6 to stir up the gift of God, which is the Holy Spirit, that is in you, There is no mention in the bible that God stir the Holy Spirit in us.
E) ‘whosoever then first’ . Only the world promotes competion, the kingdom of God doesn’t promote that. In fact the contrary is true. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. At the moment when we were born again in Christ, we were anointed, and not only certain God chosen person, were anointed.
F) verse 5 and 6 says there was a certain man, who was lame for 38 years. Jesus saw him and knew his condition had been for a long time’. This ‘long time’ means God have waited such a long time for us, for us to recognize the lies you embraced as truth, and to tear down these lies, so that you may be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you can test the good, acceptable and the perfect will of God. (Rom 12:2). That is why Jesus asked that man at the pool “Wilt thou be made whole?”. God wants us to test His will.
G) Verse 7 says ‘the man answered there is no man”. His answer is simply no men came to help him. Many believers are putting their trust in men. We must look unto God, for our help comes from Him. Our help don’t come from house representatives, senators, VP, or even President Trump. Our helps comes alone from the Spirit of God. Its not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord (Zec 4:6).
Jesus commanded that man to rise, take up his bed and walk in verse 8. The action of tearing down strongholds, leads to obedience to the voice of God. Lastly, verse 9 says that immediately, the man was made whole. It is not about waiting, or a no answer, or at God’s appointed time, it is immediately!
Finally, I will close with this declaration to the church of Jesus Christ: Arise and shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behod, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness upon the people. But the Lord shall arise upon you and His glory shall be seen upon you (Is 60:1-2)!